The journey from Mount Luzun had barely settled when a new disturbance arrived.
Wu Jinhai had just stepped into a temporary resting point when Wei Zhenyu appeared.
He was breathing slightly fast, his expression unusually serious.
"Miss Wu," he said quickly, lowering his voice, "something is wrong at home."
Wu Jinhai's expression changed instantly.
"What happened?"
Wei Zhenyu hesitated for a moment.
"The situation in the capital… it is not normal anymore."
Qiao Yu Zhen stepped closer.
"Explain clearly."
Wei Zhenyu looked between them.
"The Wu family… has been accused of treason."
Silence fell.
Wu Jinhai's eyes widened slightly.
"That is impossible."
Wei Zhenyu shook his head.
"There is more."
He lowered his voice further.
"The execution order has already been given."
For a moment—
The world around Wu Jinhai seemed to freeze.
Qiao Yu Zhen's expression darkened.
"Three days," he said quietly.
Wei Zhenyu nodded.
Wu Jinhai clenched her hands tightly.
"My father…"
Her voice was low.
But shaken.
"No," she said firmly, lifting her gaze, "this is wrong."
Wei Zhenyu stepped forward.
"We cannot waste time here."
He paused.
"We must return immediately."
Wu Jinhai looked at Qiao Yu Zhen.
Without hesitation—
He nodded.
"We take a shortcut," he said.
And they moved at once.
The journey back was fast.
Urgent.
No rest.
No delay.
The sky changed quickly as they moved toward the capital.
Dark clouds gathered faintly in the distance.
As if the world itself sensed what was coming.
At the capital gates—
The atmosphere was completely different.
Heavily guarded.
Strict.
Imperial soldiers stood in formation.
Blocking all entry.
Wu Jinhai stepped forward first.
"We need to pass," she said firmly.
The guard leader looked at them.
"No one enters without inspection."
Qiao Yu Zhen stepped beside her.
"This is urgent."
Before the guard could respond—
Another presence arrived.
The Crown Prince Hei Long.
He stood there calmly.
His eyes fixed on Wu Jinhai.
"So you returned."
His voice was quiet.
But cold.
Wu Jinhai stared at him.
"What have you done?"
Hei Long did not answer immediately.
Instead, he looked at the guards.
"Search them."
Immediately—
Imperial guards moved forward.
They searched their belongings.
Wu Jinhai's medical herbs—
Including Zhi Xingyuan—
Were taken.
Qiao Yu Zhen stepped forward.
"That is needed for the Crown Princess!"
Hei Long's expression did not change.
"I know."
Wu Jinhai's eyes narrowed.
"This is intentional."
Hei Long finally met her gaze.
"Everything is under control."
A pause.
Then he added—
"Detain them."
Before they could react—
A sharp sound broke through the air.
Arrows.
Dozens of them.
Fired without warning.
Chaos erupted instantly.
Qiao Yu Zhen pulled Wu Jinhai behind him.
"Stay behind me!"
Wu Jinhai tried to move forward.
But he held her back.
"Don't move!"
Arrows continued to rain down.
Moyan Jue stepped forward, deflecting several attacks.
Mo Xiaoqi moved quickly beside him.
But the situation was overwhelming.
Qiao Yu Zhen fought to protect Wu Jinhai.
Blocking every direction.
But the attacks were relentless.
A sudden strike came from the side—
Qiao Yu Zhen turned sharply—
Blocking it just in time.
But the force pushed him back slightly.
Wu Jinhai caught his arm.
"Are you hurt?"
He shook his head.
"Focus."
His voice was firm.
But tension filled the air.
The battle continued.
The capital gates turned into chaos.
And the Crown Prince stood still—
Watching everything unfold.
Far above—
In the Celestial Heaven—
The Jade Emperor stood beside the Elder Turtle Sage.
Both of them looked down at the mortal world.
Their expressions were grave.
"Too late," the Elder Turtle Sage said quietly.
The Jade Emperor remained silent.
Below—
The conflict was already unfolding.
Lives were in danger.
And fate was shifting.
The Elder Turtle Sage spoke again.
"We cannot interfere."
The Jade Emperor's gaze remained fixed.
"It is against the laws."
Silence.
Then—
The Jade Emperor spoke softly.
"They cannot be saved."
Down below—
Qiao Yu Zhen stood protecting Wu Jinhai.
Blood had already begun to stain the ground.
And arrows continued to fall.
....